Thursday 23 April 2026 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Heart and Lung Research Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Papworth Road, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 0BB
About
Smooth muscle cells in progressing and regressing atherosclerosis
Jacob Fog Bentzon from Aarhus University, Denmark
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells are the principal builders of atherosclerotic lesions, contributing the majority of plaque cells and the bulk of the extracellular matrix. They also play a critical role in determining the stability of these lesions, and therefore in influencing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In atherogenesis, smooth muscle cells lose their normal contractile phenotype and modulate to alternative mesenchymal cell types. The seminar will review how embryological programs directing the fate of mesenchymal tissue differentiation are reactivated in atherosclerosis and guide the development of different plaque components. Additionally, it will address how these processes are influenced by cholesterol-driven disease activity and how they can be monitored by clinical imaging.
Jacob Fog Bentzon will be available on the morning of Thursday 23rd April 2026 . Please contact Helle F Jorgensen if you would like to arrange a meeting with the speaker.
A light lunch will be provided from 12.30 pm
It would be great to see you in person, but if you need to attend remotely please contact Sarah Gibbings to receive a Teams link.